With their hearing set for Thursday, the Detroit Red Wings and Jake Walman have filed arbitration figures. The team is looking for a two-way deal that would pay Walman $775K in the NHL and $225K in the AHL, while Walman has filed for $1.7MM, according to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet.
Remember, there is almost always a significant gap between the two asks. Unlike some other sports, the neutral arbitrator does not need to pick one side or the other in the hearing, and can instead award a salary somewhere between the two. So far, only Yakov Trenin has seen his arbitration process reach a hearing. The Predators forward received a deal worth $1.7MM, between the team filing of $1.35MM and his own of $2.4.
Unlike in Trenin’s case, when the Predators chose a two-year award, the Red Wings only have the option for a one-year contract with Walman, as he is now 26 and just a year away from unrestricted free agency. He also doesn’t have much of an arbitration case, having played just 76 games in the NHL.
Still, if it gets to a hearing, the two sides will have to stop negotiating. A change in the CBA from 2020 made it so that once a hearing begins, the player is no longer able to agree to another deal. The clock is ticking for Walman and the Red Wings if they want to get a multi-year deal done.
This is the final arbitration case to be heard this summer.
Key is they will want the two-way flexibility. I think they get it so he may not be happy but it is what it is.
Pretty high number for a 26 year old that’s played 76 career games over 3 seasons.
Not sure what Walman and his agent are thinking, other than “let’s take another hit” as they have to be stoned out if their mind if they believe he’s worth $1.7M
Doesn’t this seem like a whole lot of drama for a whole lot of nothing? His numbers suggest he’s like the contract help you get from a temp agency. And, except for one year in STL, he has more blocks than hits. As if he’s just out there to be a pylon on the PK. I agree with @JayHeck2158 here. $0.7MM is probably closer to reality, as Stevie has put forth.
Walman has a lot more talent than many Wings defenseman. Skates very well, makes a nice pass. This guy has some real upside. I think 1,250 000 is not unreasonable for him.